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Making an MVP case for Rays' outfielder Chandler Simpson

ByMason Stacy|
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Apr 12, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) reacts after hitting a triple against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Apr 12, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) reacts after hitting a triple against the New York Yankees in the seventh inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Yes, we're only a few weeks into the season. Yes, it's likely that he won't hit a baseball over the fence for the rest of his career. And yes, there's still an MVP case for the fastest man in baseball.

Let's refresh ourselves on what MVP stands for. Most Valuable Player. Is the value hinged on their ability to hit homers? This is by no means a knock on two of the greatest hitters of all time in Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. These players could very well win this award each season. However, as Judge starts the season with a .217 AVG, is there an opening for the "little guy" to claim the coveted award?

How could a player like Chandler Simpson win the MVP award? Well, if we glance at the American League statistics, you can clearly see the 25-year-old outfielder atop the leaderboard in batting average (.411) and second in stolen bases (7) behind 2-time All-Star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Simpson's .411 average is 44 points ahead of the next best hitter in the AL, Brandon Nimmo. It's easy to predict that his steals will easily surpass those of his opponents as the elite speedster tallied 225 stolen bases in his minor league career.

Therefore, what is the Rays' rising sophomore missing from his MVP resume? Obviously, he has to keep up these numbers. Another factor that has to occur is the decline of clear-cut MVP caliber players like Aaron Judge, Cal Raleigh, and Bobby Witt Jr. We can also add impressive slugger Yordan Alvarez to the mix as the 28-year-old is off to an electric start, leading the American League in home runs (6), walks (16), and total bases (40). If we had to form a consensus MVP this early, then it would likely be the Astros designated hitter for his combination of an impressive batting average (.321) and power.

However, this begs the question. Does defense matter for an MVP award? We're by no means claiming that Chandler Simpson is among the best corner outfielders in baseball, but he's still playing in the field on a daily basis. Alvarez has played a total of five games in the outfield this season, while the other 12 games saw him positioned as the DH. It's worth speculating. If you don't play on both sides of the ball, then are you maximizing your value as a teammate?

There's a lot of season left and our beloved speed demon probably won't receive the respect he deserves (What's new?). It's always fun to dream about a historic moment like this where an old-fashioned type of player gives a franchise their first MVP ever.

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